Woman found murdered in bayou continues to puzzle family, investigators

It's a murder that quickly found its circumstances spreading through social media. What really happened to that young girl found in the bayou? That's the very question detectives and family members are still asking.

The 8500 block of Tiger Bend, just south of the Shenandoah-area in East Baton Rouge, is normally a pretty quiet place. It's a spot where fisherman can wet a line and just float along. On November 16, that little bit of tranquility took a horrible and tragic turn when fisherman found the body of Lindsay Ellixson, 21.

"She appears to have been dumped here, somewhere along the waterway," Sgt. Richard Decuir,

But where and when? There are still so many questions about a young woman who bounced around a lot.

Ellixon has only lived in Louisiana for about a year and a half. She's an Orlando-native. As you can imagine, her folks were shocked when those phone calls came in.

"They've been asking for every possible contact, where's she been, who's she been with," Chris Ellixon, Lindsay's father, said. "They asked about places she's been, phone numbers she called us from…"

Chris says the family is copping the best they can.

Lindsay was one of three kids who are all adopted. Her two younger brothers are both marines, trying to deal with this new reality about their big sister's death. The key now is to fill in the gaps. The last time Lindsay spoke to a family member was on November 3, 2013, roughly two weeks before her body was found.

Detectives are calling this murder particularly brutal and violent and they have so many questions. Still so much help needed for a woman her father called the leader of the pack when she was a kid. Now they are experiencing a very difficult holiday season.

"She's looking down on us, smiling, wishing us a happy Thanksgiving," Chris said. "We know where she is."

If you know anything about this investigation, call Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-STOP (7867).

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office is working in conjunction with the Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana State Police, FBI, EBR Coroner's Office, LSP Crime Lab, and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney's Office. In addition, detectives have contacted other area law enforcement partners.

That last text was sent September 19, half a day before Maria slammed into Puerto Rico. A week later, Jennifer's family in Louisiana is desperate to know what happened. The U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI are now looking for the missing boat.

That last text was sent September 19, half a day before Maria slammed into Puerto Rico. A week later, Jennifer's family in Louisiana is desperate to know what happened. The U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI are now looking for the missing boat.